Aortic stenosis is a medical condition in which the aortic
valve is narrower than normal and causes less blood flow into the aorta from
the left ventricle of the heart. This can cause fatigue and fainting due to
less oxygen supply, as well as breathlessness and heart failure due to
enlargement of the left ventricle. Increased blood pressure and abnormal heart
rhythm can also be caused due to this condition. Congenital causes such as a
two leaflet valve instead of the normal three-leaved one, high blood pressure,
obesity, old age, and infection and inflammation are known causes for this
condition.
A clinical history, clinical examination, and tests like
ECG, 2d echo and stress test are usually sufficient for a diagnosis of this condition;
rarely, cardiac catheterization may be required. Conservative treatment is
given in the form of medications to reduce high blood pressure, reduce abnormal
heart rhythm, improve heart efficiency, and reduce obesity. Surgical procedures
involve dilatation of the valve (balloon valvuloplasty) – usually done in
children - and valve replacement using open heart surgery or by a catheter
procedure known as TAVR which is less invasive.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be judiciously used in the
successful long term management of aortic stenosis. Herbal medicines are used
to control blood pressure, reduce obesity, reduce calcium deposition and thereby
reduce thickening, hardening and scarring of valve leaflets, use specific medicines
to make the aortic valve more pliable, improve heart muscle strength and
efficiency, improve cardiac output, and treat or reduce abnormal heart rhythm.
If required, herbal medicines can also be given to treat long term infection
and inflammation.
Most patients with mild to moderate aortic valve stenosis
can be managed very well using Ayurvedic herbal medicines. Treatment is usually
required for about 8-10 months. For patients with moderately severe stenosis,
some medicines to maintain heart efficiency and normalize blood pressure may be
required on a long term or lifelong basis. Patients with very severe aortic
stenosis are best treated surgically; however, those who are not fit for
surgery - for various reasons - may still be managed well with Ayurvedic herbal
treatment.
